Obituaries

Joe Allen Gurley

Photo of Joe Allen Gurley
Joe Allen Gurley, 72, died peacefully at Willard Walker Hospice House in Fayetteville, Ark. on Sunday, Feb. 01, 2015. The cause of death was Alzheimer's disease. Born on December 15, 1942 in Blytheville, Ark. to James Henry and Virgie (Stewart) Gurley, Joe graduated from Blytheville High School in 1960, in addition to Copiah Lincoln Junior College in 1962. He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Jan (Ball) Gurley, who passed away in May of 2007. Before developing Alzheimer's disease, Joe Gurley lived in Blytheville, Ark. his entire life. For more than 20 years, Joe farmed with his father in Clear Lake and Promise Land before being elected County Judge of Mississippi County serving for more than 12 years. Prior to his election as County Judge, Joe was an elected member of the Mississippi County Quorum Court for three years. Following his tenure as Mississippi County Judge, Joe became the President of the Arkansas Aeroplex for 17 years, developing and bringing new businesses into the former Eaker Air Force Base closed by the U.S. government in 1992. Throughout his career as a public servant, Joe was instrumental in bringing new growth and development into Northeast Arkansas. Joe was a member of many professional and development organizations. Some included the Blytheville Chamber of Commerce, the Blytheville Rotary Club, the County Judge's Association of Arkansas, the East Arkansas Planning and Development District, Mississippi County Community Foundation, and the Blytheville Leadership Institute. In addition, he held many leadership positions in community organizations and also received numerous awards and accolades for his service to his local community and beyond. Joe was also a long-time active member of the First Baptist Church in Blytheville, serving on many committees and as a deacon. Survivors include his son Chad Gurley, his daughter Tara (Gurley) Dye, his son-in-law Benjamin Houston Dye, and his grandson Flint Houston Dye, all of Springdale, Ark. Joe is also survived by his sister, Inez (Gurley) Haynes and brother, Stewart Gurley along with countless nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015 at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church Sanctuary of Blytheville. Nephew, Pastor James Haynes, will bring a time of Spiritual reflection following personal tributes by Karen Green, past assistant and friend; Barry Ball, brother-in-law and friend; and Dr. John Sullins, longtime friend. The family will receive friends from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. also in the church's sanctuary. Entombment will follow services in the Chapel of the Dogwood Mausoleum in Dogwood Cemetery. Cobb Funeral Home of Blytheville is handling services and may be contacted at (870) 763-4431 for more information. Condolences may be expressed online to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers and plants, the family would prefer that memorial contributions be given to the Willard Walker Hospice House and/or the Alzheimer's Association and/or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Published February 2, 2015

Upcoming Events